capacity in a very high degree, as will be seen immediately by the results.  Nothing could be more touching, noble, and respectable, than the conduct of the members of this Jewish family, who, partners in the engagement of gratitude taken by their ancestor, devote themselves for long years, with as much disinterestedness as intelligence and honesty, to the slow acquisition of a kingly fortune, of which they expect no part themselves, but which, thanks to them, would come pure, as immense, to the hands of the descendants of their benefactor!  Nor could anything be more honorable to him who made, and him who received this deposit, than the simple promise by word of mouth, unaccompanied by any security save mutual confidence and reciprocal esteem, when the result was only to be produced at the end of a century and a half!

After once more reading his inventory with attention, Samuel said to his wife:  “I am certain of the correctness of my additions.  Now please to compare with the account-book in your hand the summary of the investments that I have just entered in the register.  I will assure myself, at the same time, that the bonds and vouchers are properly arranged in this casket, that, on the opening of the will, they may be delivered in order to the notary.”

“Begin, my dear, and I will check you,” said Bathsheba.

Samuel read as follows, examining as he went on, the contents of his casket: 

Statement of the account of the heirs of M. De Rennepont, delivered by David Samuels.

Debit.

2,000,000 francs per annum, in the French 5 P. C., bought from 1825 to 1832, at an average price of 99f. 50c. . . . . . . . . . . . 39,800,000
900,000 francs, ditto, in the French 3 P. C., bought during the same years, at an average of 74f 25c . . . . . . . . 22,275,000
5;000 shares in the Bank of France, bought at 1,900 9,500,000
3,000 shares in the Four
 Canals, in a certificate from the Company, bought at 1,115f . . . . . 3,345,000
125,000 ducats of
 Neapolitans, at an average of 82. 2,050,000 ducats, at 4f. 400 . . . . . . . 9,020,000
5,000 Austrian Metallics, of 1,000 florins, at 93
—­say 4,650,000 florins, at 2f. 50c . . . . . . . . 11,625,000
75,000 pounds sterling per annum, English
 Consolidated 3 P. C., at 88 3/4—­say 2,218,750, at 25f . . . . . . . . . 55,468,750
1,200,000 florins, Dutch
2 1/2 P. C., at 60-28,
860,000 florins, at 2f.
100. . . . . . . . . . . 60,606,000
Cash in banknotes, gold
and silver . . . . . . . . 535,250
             _____________
         Francs 212,175,000

Paris, 12th February, 1832. 
Credit.

150,000 francs received from M. de Rennepont, in 1682, by Isaac
 Samuel my grandfather; and invested by him, my father, and myself, in different securities, at Five per Cent. 
 Interest, with a settlement of account and Investment of interest every six months, producing, as by annexed vouchers, 225,950,000